y's service, requesting his discharge from it forthwith. The
Admiralty was graciously pleased to grant the request, and lose the
services of a midshipman. The Admiralty were also pleased to grant the
discharge of Mesty, on the sum required for a substitute being paid in.

The gipsies were routed out of their abodes, and sent once more to
wander. The gamekeepers were restored, the preserves cleared of all
poachers, and the gentry of the county were not a little pleased at
Jack's succession, for they had wished that Mr Easy's neck had been
broken long ago. The societies were dissolved, since, now that Mr Easy
paid no longer for the beer, there was nothing to meet for. Cards and
compliments were sent from all parts of the county, and every one was
anxious that our hero should come of age, as then he would be able to
marry, to give dinners, subscribe to the fox-hounds, and live as a
gentleman ought to do.

But, during all these speculations, Jack had made Dr Middleton
acquainted with the history of his amour with Agnes de Rebiera, and all
particulars connected therewith, also with his determination to go out
to bring her home as his wife. Dr Middleton saw no objection to the
match, and he perceived that our hero was sincere. And Jack had made
inquiries when the packet would sail for Malta, when Mesty, who stood
behind his chair, observed:

"Packet bad vessel, Massa Easy. Why not go out in man-of-war?"

"Very true," replied Jack; "but you know, Mesty, that is not so easy."

"And den how come home, sar. Suppose you and Missy Agnes taken
prisoner--put in prison?"

"Very true," replied Jack; "and as for a passage home in a man-of-war
that will be more difficult still."

"Den I tink, sar, suppose you buy one fine vessel--plenty of guns--take
out letter of marque--plenty of men, and bring Missy Agnes home like a
lady. You captain of your own ship."

"That deserves consideration, Mesty," replied Jack, who thought of it
during that night; and the next day resolved to follow Mesty's advice.
The Portsmouth paper lay on the breakfast-table. Jack took it up, and
his eye was caught by an advertisement for the sale of the _Joan d'Arc_,
prize to H.M. ship _Thetis_, brigantine of 278 tons, copper-bottomed,
armed _en flute_, with all her stores, spars, sails, running and
standing rigging, then lying in the harbour of Portsmouth, to take place
on the following Wednesday.

Jack rang the bell, and ordered post-horses.

"